Gratitude: June 2018

Before the month ends I just want to take a moment to share a few things that breathed la vie into me this month

1) POSE on FX / Nick Cave at Park Avenue Armory

These two are bringing queer black culture to masses in a major way and I am here for it. POSE airs on FX and is an inside look at 80s/AIDS-era ballroom culture that digs into the very real struggles of our gay and trans black and brown folks. It is at time a little overwrought (it’s made by the folks who did Glee) but the performances are heartfelt and Billy Porter as the sort of loving elder/ringleader at the heart of it all is delivering the performance OF A LIFETIME. Direct all the awards to Mr. Porter, hunty. Give he his check and put some respeck on his check y’all.

As for Nick, he is bringing the queer disco house glitter and black boy joyousness but not shying away from the pain and also making it weird and liberated with those gorgeous and larger than life sound suits. I highly recommend going to see it before it closes.

2) Mina and Bryte on NTS Live

I’ve made no secret of my love for NTS Radio. The amount of sheer spiritual energy they broadcast to me is immeasurable, and this episode is no exception. Mina is a talented producer and Bryte is a wicked new MC out of Ghana that got me swelling with pride.

This whole episode is excellent summer hiphop, reggae and Afrobeat vibes.

3) Fearless Cities NYC

In this sea of bad political news and even worse neoliberal & “progressive” responses to that news, I’m holding tight to social ecology and municipalism. Last year, the incredible Barcelona en Comú municipalist government hosted likeminded folks from around the world at the first ever Fearless Cities conference to explore how we can build this movement. They tasked everyone to go back home and hold a regional summit. This year the American one will be held in NYC.

I sadly have to miss it but I’m in touch with organizers and a lot of my beloved comrades will be there. Lots is and will be cooking in this space. Join us to find out how we can build power by embracing the small and local.